Well I’m off skiing in the Winds tomorrow for the next three days and I’m psyched. I love to go winter camping and the weather looks good. I am also with my two bros…Reed Finlay and Dustin Lemke.
Last April I took a trip to a nearby area, but had to hike in AT boots for 5 miles before we got to the snow…I vowed to come back for a mid winter assault. We skied some great lines on that trip and I scoped out some even better ski terrain further up canyon. So now is time to journey back.
Anyway, it should be about 8.5 miles to our planned campsite and it goes without saying that I won’t be blogging again until next week. But it will be worth the wait.
Over the past few days I have been organizing my gear for this Winds trip. I try to keep things simple when I am winter camping, but I do allow myself a few luxuries. Looks like there are three of us going so we will probably bring two tents and two stoves. Fortunately, I work in a specialty outdoor shop (and have a lot of friends in the industry) so I have a lot of the latest/greatest lightweight and compactable equipment.
I haven’t decided on which skis to bring yet (the problem with having so many choices), but it comes down to my Black Diamond Havocs (183cm) or Ethics (176cm). I also haven’t decided if I will bring the Whippets or not. Hmmm. For boots I will be using my Scarpa Spirit 3s.
Shelter/Sleeping
-Black Diamond Megamid CF (Steve) and Betamid (Reed) w/ floor
-MSR Blizzard Snow Stakes (x4)
-Marmot Lithium 0° Sleeping Bag
-Thermarest Guidelight inflatable and closed cell foam pad (short)
Skiing/Climbing
-CAMP XLC Crampons
-CAMP XLA Ice Axe
-Petzl Meteor Helmet
-Black Diamond Climbing Skins
-BCA Tracker Avy Transceiver
-BCA Tour Shovel
-Black Diamond CF Avy Probe
Clothing
-Mountain Hardwear Sub-zero Parka
-Mountain Hardwear Transition Jacket
-Cloudveil Run Don’t Walk Top
-Icebreaker T-shirt
-Arcteryx Gamma AR Pant
-Patagonia Fleece Pants
-Marmot Dri-Clime MW Bottoms
-Craft Wind Briefs
-Thorlo LW Ski Socks (x2)
-Thick Fleece socks
-Lightweight Dynafit Gloves
-Cloudveil Zero-G Gloves
-Cloudveil Zero-G Mitts
-Outdoor Research Balaclava
-Cloudveil LW Beanie
-Cloudveil 4-Shadows Hat
-The Buff
-Smith Sunglasses and Goggles
Cooking
-MSR DragonFly (Dustin)
-JetBoil w/ Coffee Press (Reed)
-MSR 2L Alpine Pot (Steve)
-Big Insulated Mug
-Small Lexan Bowl
-Brunton Titanium Spoon
-Lighters (x2)
-MSR Dromedary Bag (Camelbak modified)
Accessories
-Arcteryx Needle 45L Backpack
-Camera and Case, w/ extra battery and mini-tripod
-Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp w/ extra batteries
-Extra ski pole basket
-Small block of kick-wax
-Map
-Suunto X6HR Altimeter Watch
Personal
-Small Roll of TP
-Contact Supplies
-Toothbrush
-Misc Meds
Luxuries
-Mountain Hardwear Down Booties
-Thermarest Chair Kit
-Thermarest Pillow Stuff-sac
-Inclinometer (for bragging rights)
Hi Steve,
nice to get an idea on what other teams are using.
Last season towards spring we only used a stove called Optimus Crux and couple small titanium pots.The Crux burner is under 100 grames.
Here in the Carpathians is quite humid, so a sintetic filled booster layer sometimes works better than a down jacket.
For shells we used Arcteryx Gamma Mx and softshells like Rab or Paramo.
Alex
Where the hell did you go? (I guess over Burro Flat)
How much did the pack weigh when full?
Did you run out of mountain money?
Did you see signs of snowmobiles?
Have a good one Steve, look foward to the TR.
Alex
We sell the crux where I work so I am familiar with it. I kinda like the Jetboil system. Also, it’s currently like -20F (-30C) so the liquid stove will be nice.
We have a very dry climate here so most go with down.
Thanks Alex!
Hey Anquish,
Full disclosure will take more than that. We leave for this trip earlybird on Weds.
Having fun in Japan Grant???
What’s “The Buff”?
I’m guessing it’s your bandanna, one of life’s more versatile items, and not mentioned on your list…
‘The Buff’ is a synthetic headband….close.
Good eye though Schubwa….the bandanna made it into the pack last minute.